He says that the media have "agendas" against him. Well, if by "agendas" he means "evidence"...

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - 4 March 2011: Indian businessmen Ajay and Atul Gupta speak to the City Press from the New Age Newspaper's offices in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa on 4 March 2011. (Photo by Gallo Images/City Press/Muntu Vilakazi)

Previously mute for the last few months, Ajay Gupta has suddenly found his voice. He’s been speaking to Indian media, trashing the “agenda” South African news organisations have against him.

As revealed by SABC correspondent Neha Poonia, Ajay has denied every allegation thrown at him regarding state capture. He was in full defensive mode on Wednesday, maintaining that he and his family are completely innocent.

Where is Ajay Gupta?

The Indian billionaire – currently in his home country for a religious pilgrimage – also moved to protect Duduzane Zuma, claiming that his business deals with the son of former President Jacob Zuma have all been above board:

The SABC reporter broke his media tirade down for the station’s viewers:

“Ajay Gupta says it’s his word against the media’s. He claims he has tried to stay away from politics whilst in South Africa. He maintains the family are innocent, asking: ‘If I’m guilty, why would I keep fighting these accusations?'”

“The South African government can’t prove a single charge against him or his brothers, according to Ajay. He said he just wants to set record straight.”

“They maintain their relationship with Duduzane Zuma started way before his father Jacob assumed the Presidency, and that their company has to employ South Africans as part of the country’s laws. They say Zuma was on their board ‘on merit only.'”

“Ajay Gupta also told SABC he doesn’t want to speak to anyone in South Africa because the media have an agenda where they are ‘vilifying him and his family.'”

The elusive Gupta brother also reiterated his claims from earlier in the week that he would indeed return to South Africa in the near future. Using his family’s residency as a reason to come back, he insisted their time abroad “is not permanent”.